Attachable extendable and retractable earpiece and protective casing assembly for mobile communication and sound devices

Abstract

An extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly for mobile communication or sound devices including a housing integrally formed with or detachably connected to a casing for protecting a mobile electronic device. The housing receives a mechanism around which at least one earpiece cable is removably wound. The earpiece cable is extendable from and retractable into the housing.

I claim: 
     
       1. A protective apparatus for a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having input and output ports and at least one electronic screen display, the protective apparatus comprising:
 a casing having internal dimensions adapted to tightly and removably attach around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device while also extending around an aperture that permits access to the at least one electronic screen display when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device; 
 an extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly including at least one earpiece cable and a mechanism around which the at least one earpiece cable is wound; 
 a housing having an interior that receives the mechanism around which the at least one earpiece cable is wound, wherein the housing is defined by a sidewall extending along at least a generally planar portion of a posterior wall of the casing, the housing sidewall having an opening through which the at least one earpiece cable is extendable and retractable, and wherein the interior of the housing faces toward and is disposed rearward of a rear surface of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device; 
 the at least one earpiece cable having a first end attached to an earpiece and a second end electrically connected to a connector plug that is electrically connected to an output port of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device; and 
 the casing, the housing, and the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly forming an integrated assembly to be used and stored by a user when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device. 
 
     
     
       2. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing sidewall is integrally formed with a wall of the casing. 
     
     
       3. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is removably attached to the casing. 
     
     
       4. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the casing further comprises a pliable material. 
     
     
       5. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the casing further comprises a rubber or plastic material. 
     
     
       6. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly further comprises a stopper and release assembly that alternately prevents rewinding of the at least one earpiece cable. 
     
     
       7. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly releasably maintains the at least one earpiece cable in an extended position relative to the housing. 
     
     
       8. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a release actuator that when engaged allows retraction of the at least one earpiece cable. 
     
     
       9. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly includes two earpiece cables. 
     
     
       10. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall of the housing has a generally annular shape. 
     
     
       11. The protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the casing has at least one opening that permits access to an output port of the mobile electronic device with the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device. 
     
     
       12. A protective apparatus for a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having input and output ports and at least one electronic screen display, the protective apparatus comprising:
 a casing having internal dimensions adapted to tightly and removably attach around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device while also extending around an aperture that permits access to the at least one electronic screen display when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device; 
 a housing defined by a sidewall disposed along a planar surface of a posterior wall of the casing, the planar surface disposed rearward of a rear surface of the mobile electronic device when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device; 
 an extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly that is received into the housing from an interior of the casing and including at least one earpiece cable and a mechanism around which the at least one earpiece cable is wound, the housing having an opening through which the at least one earpiece cable is extends; 
 wherein when the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device to be used and stored by the user, the casing is attached to the rear of the mobile electronic device and is tightly and removably attached around all peripheral sides of the mobile electronic device, and the casing, the housing and the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly form an integrated assembly with the at least one earpiece cable having a first end attached to an earpiece and a second end electrically connected to an output port of said mobile electronic device. 
 
     
     
       13. The protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the housing is integrally formed with the casing. 
     
     
       14. The protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the housing is removably attached to the casing. 
     
     
       15. The protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the casing further comprises a pliable material. 
     
     
       16. The protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the casing further comprises a rubber or plastic material. 
     
     
       17. The protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the extendable and retractable earpiece cable assembly includes two earpiece cables. 
     
     
       18. The protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the sidewall of the housing has a generally annular shape. 
     
     
       19. The protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the casing has at least one opening that permits access to an output port of the mobile electronic device with the protective apparatus is assembled to the mobile electronic device.